20th anniversary of the Oviedo Convention

On this occasion an international conference was held on 24-25 October 2017, in Strasbourg, under the auspices of the Czech Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers

The objective of this conference was namely to analyse the relevance of this international reference instrument in the light of the developments in the biomedical field and the perspectives with a view to define the elements of a “strategic action plan” for the work of the Committee on Bioethics (DH-BIO) for the 2018 – 2019 biennium and possibly beyond. To that end, the evolution of practices and the scientific and technical developments in the biomedical field were examined, as well as the Convention principles at stake and possible challenges raised with a view to identify possible areas for action.

Message from JUDr Radek Policar, Deputy Minister for Legislation and Legal Affairs of the Czech Republic

"It has been 20 years since the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine was adopted. Since then a great list of countries added its signature to the Oviedo Convention. This shows the willingness of European nations to set a universal standard in the field of biomedicine while upholding the dignity of patient. Because it most certainly is the human dignity that represents the central value, from which all other rights of patients arise.

The Conference was held under the auspices of the Czech Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and we are happy that the Czech Republic could sign the Additional protocol concerning genetic testing for health purposes during the event. This fifth signature and subsequent ratification are the last steps needed for the Additional protocol to come into force.

We would like to thank our colleagues in the Council of Europe for organising this wonderful event and express our sincere thanks to the speakers and all participants who have made this Conference a place to share and exchange knowledge and experience."

Speech of Gabriella Battani Dragoni, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General (in translation)

"Vice-Minister,

Deputy Director General,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear colleagues,

“A shared ethics that exalts the human person and his or her responsibility”. That is how Alcide de Gasperi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy and one of the founding fathers of European integration, described the common European heritage.

It is through the notion of human dignity, the cornerstone of the whole human rights edifice, that law and ethics intertwine.

The European Convention on Human Rights crystallised this link between human rights and ethics. And the Oviedo Convention, whose 20th anniversary we are celebrating today, did it again, this time in the field of biology and medicine.

At that point, some began to talk about a “new generation” of rights... Read full speech

The conference benefited from the outcome of the following activities: